self-referencing pronoun for king or queen

In Malay, the pronoun beta for the royal “I” (or “my” or “me”) that is used by royals when speaking to people of lower rank, subordinates or commoners to refer to themselves in these verses. This reflects the “language of the court because the monarchy and sultanate in Malaysia are still alive and well. All oral and printed literature (including newspapers and magazines) preserve and glorify the language of the court. Considering that the language of the court is part of the Malaysian language, court language is used sparingly where appropriate, specifically with texts relating to palace life.” (Source: Daud Soesilo in The Bible Translator 2025, p. 263ff.)

complete verse (Genesis 41:40)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Genesis 41:40:

  • Kankanaey: “You (sing.) accordingly will be-in-charge of these officials of mine, and all my people also and they will obey what you (sing.) say. I only will-be-higher than you (sing.).” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Newari: “So I now put you in charge of the land of Egypt. All people will listen to your orders. Only by doing this throne will I be above you.'” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “I am-making you (sing.) today ruler over my palace and governor of the entire Egipto, and all of my men will-obey you (sing.). But my authority is greater than yours (sing.).'” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “So I will put you in charge of everything in my palace. All the people here in Egypt must obey what you command. Only because I am king will I have more authority than you.'” (Source: Translation for Translators)

2nd person pronoun with low register (Japanese)

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Like a number of other East Asian languages, Japanese uses a complex system of honorifics, i.e. a system where a number of different levels of politeness are expressed in language via words, word forms or grammatical constructs. These can range from addressing someone or referring to someone with contempt (very informal) to expressing the highest level of reference (as used in addressing or referring to God) or any number of levels in-between. One way Japanese shows different degree of politeness is through the choice of a second person pronoun (“you” and its various forms) as shown here in the widely-used Japanese Shinkaiyaku (新改訳) Bible of 2017. The most commonly used anata (あなた) is typically used when the speaker is humbly addressing another person.

In these verses, however, omae (おまえ) is used, a cruder second person pronoun, that Jesus for instance chooses when chiding his disciples. (Source: S. E. Doi, see also S. E. Doi in Journal of Translation, 18/2022, p. 37ff. )

See also first person pronoun with low register and third person pronoun with low register.

Translation commentary on Genesis 41:40

Verses 40-45 describe the installation or investiture of Joseph to the highest position in the king’s government.

Over my house: my house refers here to the king’s palace, court, or government. In later times in Judah and Israel, the chief officer was said to be in charge of the palace, as in 1 Kgs 4.6; 16.9. Bible en français courant translates “administrator of my kingdom,” New Jerusalem Bible “my chancellor,” New Jerusalem Bible “in charge of my court.” We may also say, for example, “in charge of my government” or “the chief officer in my palace.”

My people shall order themselves as you command: this appears to say literally “at your mouth all my people shall be ordered.” The word translated “ordered” is of uncertain meaning. Hebrew Old Testament Text Project suggests three possibilities:
(1) “and to your word (command), all my people shall pay homage,”
(2) “and … (command), all my people shall be nourished,”
(3) “and … (command), all my people shall be equipped (or: armed).”

Hebrew Old Testament Text Project adds “It is not possible to decide which of these interpretations is the best one.”

Although they do not conform entirely to the first recommendation of Hebrew Old Testament Text Project, Revised English Bible “all my people will respect your every word” and Good News Translation “all my people will obey your orders” give us two model translations to follow.

Only as regards the throne will I be greater than you: throne is used here as a symbol of authority or power. This may be translated, for example, “Only because I am the king will I be greater than you.” We may also state this negatively: “You will be less than me only because I am the king.”

Quoted with permission from Reyburn, William D. and Fry, Euan McG. A Handbook on Genesis. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1997. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .